High intelligence is not associated with a greater propensity for mental health disorders

Oct 3, 2026

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Background. Studies suggesting that highly intelligent people have more mental health disorders often suffer from sampling bias, missing or inadequate control groups, and limited sample sizes. This study compares the prevalence of mental health disorders between individuals with high and average general intelligence (g-factor) using the UK Biobank. Methods. Participants standardized on same-age population scores are split into high and average g-factor groups and assessed with self-report and medical diagnoses across 32 phenotypes. Results. High g-factor shows lower anxiety and PTSD and fewer stressors, though more allergies. Conclusions. High intelligence is not linked to more mental health disorders and may be protective.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

General intelligence and debate in prior studies

European Psychiatry [www.cambridge.org/epa](www.cambridge.org/epa) Research Article Cite this article: Williams CM, Peyre H, Labouret G, Fassaya J, Guzmán García A, Gauvrit N, Ramus F (2023) . High intelligence isnot associated with a greater propensity for mental health disorders. European Psychiatry, 66(1), e3, 1–8 [https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2343](https://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.2343) Received: 23 August 2022 Revised: 21 October 2022 Accepted: 01 November 2022 Keywords: Allergies; anxiety; intelligence; post-traumatic stress disorder; psychopathology Author for correspondence: *Camille Michèle Williams, [E-mail:](E-mail: williams. m.camille@gmail.com)[ williams. m.camille@gmail.com](E-mail: williams. m.camille@gmail.com) © The Author(s), 2022 . Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence ([http://](http://)[ ](http://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited. High intelligence is not associated with a greater propensity for mental health disorders Camille Michèle Williams1* , Hugo Peyre1,2,3 , Ghislaine Labouret1 , Judicael Fassaya1 , Adoración Guzmán García1 , Nicolas Gauvrit4 and Franck Ramus1 1Laboratoire de Sciences Cognitives et Psycholinguistique, Département d’Études Cognitives, École Normale Supérieure, EHESS, CNRS, PSL University, 75005 Paris, France; 2INSERM UMR 1141, Paris Diderot University, Paris, France; 3Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Robert Debré Hospital, APHP, Paris, France and 4Human and Artificial Cognition Lab, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Paris, France Abstract Background. Studies reporting that highly intelligent individuals have more mental health disorders often have sampling bias, no or inadequate control groups, or insufficient sample size. We addressed these caveats by examining the difference in the prevalence of mental health disorders between individuals with high and average general intelligence (g-factor) in the UK Biobank. Methods. Participants with g-factor scores standardized relative to the same-age UK population, were divided into two groups: a high g-factor group (g-factor 2 SD above the UK mean; N = 16,137) and an average g-factor group (g-factor within 2 SD of the UK mean; N = 236,273) . Using self-report questionnaires and medical diagnoses, we examined group differences in the prevalence of 32 phenotypes, including mental health disorders, trauma, allergies, and other traits. Results. High and average g-factor groups differed across 15/32 phenotypes and did not depend on sex and/or age. Individuals with high g-factors had less general anxiety (odds ratio [OR] = 0.69, 95% CI [0.64;0.74]) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; OR = 0.67, 95 % CI [0.61;0.74]), were less neurotic (β = 􀀁0.12, 95% CI [􀀁0.15;􀀁0.10]), less socially isolated (OR = 0.85, 95%CI [0.80;0.90]), and were less likely to have experienced childhood stressors and abuse, adulthood stressors, or catastrophic trauma (OR = 0.69–0.90). However, they generally had more allergies (e.g., eczema; OR = 1.13–1.33) . Conclusions. The present study provides robust evidence that highly intelligent individuals do not have more mental health disorders than the average population. High intelligence even appears as a protective factor for general anxiety and PTSD. Introduction Intelligence—the ability to learn, reason, and solve problems [1]—is associated with greater physical health and longevity. And yet, some researchers report that highly intelligent individuals are at a higher risk of developing mental health and somatic disorders [2–5] . The majority of studies that report a negative effect of intelligence on mental and somatic health, however, o

FAQs

What limitation in earlier studies motivated this research?

Earlier studies often had sampling bias, lacked adequate control groups, or used insufficient sample sizes. This study addresses those caveats using the UK Biobank design.

How were participants grouped in the study?

Participants’ g-factor scores were standardized relative to the same-age UK population, forming a high g-factor group (2 SD above the mean) and an average g-factor group (within 2 SD of the mean).

What were the main findings regarding mental health disorders?

High g-factor individuals showed less general anxiety and lower rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, and they were less neurotic and socially isolated. The study did not find a greater propensity for mental health disorders overall.

Oct 3, 2026

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